Why Phil Bredesen is the right choice for young people | Opinion

The U.S. Senate debate between Marsha Blackburn and Phil Bredesen in 3 minutes
Nashville Tennessean

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U.S. Senate candidate Phil Bredesen waves to the crowd during the 2018 TSU Homecoming Parade along John Merritt Blvd. on Tennessee State University campus Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.(Photo: George Walker IV / The Tennessean)Buy Photo

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Millennials should cast their ballots for the governor whose tenure they barely remember.

When Phil Bredesen was elected mayor of Nashville in 1991, I had not yet been born; when he exited the governor’s mansion, I was only 11 years old.

Yet now as a freshman college student, I see the effects of the policy he implemented.

For those too young to remember Bredesen’s time in office, he was the mayor of Nashville from 1991-1999 and governor of Tennessee from 2003-2011. In the 2002 gubernatorial election, Bredesen was able to win by receiving votes from Democrats, Republicans and independents.

In 2006, Bredesen was re-elected by a landslide, carrying every county and winning almost 70 percent of the vote. After eight years, Bredesen exited office with a 72 percent approval rating, which included a positive rating from Republicans.

As mayor of Nashville, he brought the Titians and Predators to Nashville and built venues for them. He spearheaded development downtown which led to the lower Broadway that we see today. He built the downtown library, a building that if not enjoyed for its books and resources is most certainly enjoyed for its cheap downtown parking.

Bredesen was a true education mayor; the city invested in well-paid public school teachers, and built or renovated over 70 schools.

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Bredesen led Tennessee to prosperity in hard times

During his time as governor, Bredesen doubled down on his commitment to education. He established the Tennessee Lottery, which has provided life changing scholarships to students all across the state.

He also worked with Dolly Parton to expand the Imagination Library though the Books From Birth Foundation, so that children from all across the state could enjoy free books.

Despite the recession, he was able to attract companies like Nissan and Volkswagen to Tennessee. By the end of his tenure, he had also attracted nearly two dozen clean energy manufactures to the state, accounting for 20 percent of the 130,000 manufacturing jobs he helped create.

All of this done without creating the income tax his predecessor, Republican Don Sundquist (who has endorsed Marsha Blackburn), proposed and failed to pass.

I am by no means suggesting that we should elect Bredesen solely on the events of the past, after all this is a race about the future of Tennessee.

Bredesen has the ideas to move us forward and create a better future. For example, he understands that student loans and the debt that young people carry are heavy anchors that can keep us from reaching our full potential.

Fifty-six percent of Tennesseans still owe some form of student debt with the average amount being $25,252. Because of this, he has put out a detailed plan with the goal of lowering defaults and making good quality higher education more affordable through a singular federal student loan program available to all students with fixed rates and longer loan terms.

Michael Anastasi, vice president of news for the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee, steps up to the podium to deliver opening remarks at the 2018 Tennessee U.S. Senate Debate at Cumberland University Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Lebanon, Tenn. Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

Moderators David Plazas, left, of The Tennessean, and Rhori Johnson, of NewsChannel 5, speak to the audience at the 2018 Tennessee U.S. Senate Debate at Cumberland University Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Lebanon, Tenn. Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean

Marsha Blackburn supporters move into position in anticipation of her arrival for the 2018 Tennessee U.S. Senate Debate at Cumberland University Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Lebanon, Tenn. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Democratic candidate Phil Bredesen and his wife Andrea Conte walk through a crowd of supporters before the 2018 Tennessee U.S. Senate Debate at Cumberland University Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Lebanon, Tenn. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

The Lebanon High School band arrives to play for Phil Bredesen supporters outside the 2018 Tennessee U.S. Senate Debate at Cumberland University Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Lebanon, Tenn. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Phil Bredesen supporters listen to the Lebanon High School band before the start of the 2018 Tennessee U.S. Senate Debate at Cumberland University Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, in Lebanon, Tenn. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Blackburn has also been given at least $168,000 from the telecom industry as a result; she vehemently opposes net neutrality and even calls it “socialist.”

President Trump was right when he called Washington a swamp. There are too many career politicians who only care about self-promotion, their own advancement and wooing mega donors.

The Senate needs some fresh air and, with all due respect to Congressman Blackburn, 16 years in Washington is far too long.

Our federal government needs independent mavericks who care more about the people than party or reelection; John McCain understood that and I wish more senators did too.

Phil Bredesen is applying for the job and Tennessee should hire him.

Travis Gaither is a student at Belmont University, studying politics and public law. He serves on the Davidson County Democratic Party's executive committee as an at-large member and is Middle Tennessee vice president for the Tennessee College Democrats.